Test scores increase at Brush Middle School

By Iva Kay Horner Publisher/Editor

Posted:
05/18/2012 08:03:23 AM MDT

Updated:
05/18/2012 08:05:32 AM MDT

Brush Board of Education member Mike Dixon congratulates Brush Middle School eighth grader Kamille Sweenie for her achievements on improving test scores. Several middle school students received honors and congratulations during Tuesday night's meeting of the board. (Iva Kay Horner/News-Tribune)

After tabling the heating and air conditioner proposal due to questions at their last meeting, the Brush Board of Education (BOE) accepted the recommendation made by director of maintenance Barry Quinlin during regular session of Tuesday night's meeting.In reviewing the proposal, Quinlin explained that the bid submitted by Bob Staley's Plumbing-Heating-Air, Fort Morgan, calls for a Carrier 92% efficiency, 80K BTU, single stage condensing gas furnace at a bid of $6,300.In a previous meeting, board members raised concerns why the same system in a competing bid from Spotts Bros., Fort Morgan, was different in price, with Quinlin explaining the cooling coil was priced in with the furnace on one bidding company and with the air conditioner with the other bidder.Another difference is that the bid from Spotts Bros. was for an Amana 80% efficiency furnace, he added.Quinlin also reported that the district is not eligible for rebates through Xcel Energy as the district receives its transport gas through another entity, along with the fact that the new air conditioner is at a SEER rating of 13 and not 14 as required by the program. Additionally, the unit is not designated for use at a residential address.In Staley's bid, the maintenance director explained that both heat exchangers have warranties of 20 years, with the warranty on the air conditioner at 10 years."I think both are quality products," Quinlin said of the competing bids.

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"I don't think you can go wrong with either one but when you start looking at efficiency…that's a really slow payback..between 80 and 92%, that's a big, big difference." He added, "I'm not sure we're going to get better prices than this."In other business, the board heard end-of-year reports from Brush Middle School Principal (BMS) Sherry Kyle and Brush High School (BHS) Principal Dave Vondy.In her report, and with several students on hand, Kyle reviewed the growth experienced in NWEA testing. According to the middle school principal, students moved up anywhere from 8 to 35 academic points in reading and math. "We saw some great growth in reading and math and we're seeing positive growth in language as well," she told the board. "I am very proud of them."As part of the recognition, each student received a certificate, as well as accolades from the board.Kyle also recognized seventh grade math teacher Brooke Guccione who had 33 students increase their scores by one category. Fifteen students moved into the advanced category, Kyle said, with four students advancing out of the unsatisfactory category. Twenty students, she continued, moved into the advanced category."I am very proud of her and her students work…we have lots of hardworking teachers and students," she concluded.Kyle continued her report by commenting on the PLC survey data, a six-category study providing information on PLC and leadership work involving relationships. Of the total points allotted, she explained, the building earned 58 percent in the fall but were able to increase that to 71.2 percent this spring. While increases were realized in all categories, she said that the area of supportive condition-relationships (building, administration, students, etc.), moved to 68.3 percent from 58 percent. "This gives us a solid foundation on which to build into next year," Kyle commented.Additionally, the principal noted that PLC work involving curriculum mapping is 100 percent complete and the building is "very happy to celebrate technology in the classrooms."Other highlights at Brush Middle School include utilization and success of the Positive Behavior in School (PBIS) and School Wide Information System (SWIS), the creation of a 2012-13 master schedule which is allowing the building to switch from a trimester to semester system, as well as the building's community outreach program with the Brush Rotary Club with members sponsoring a raffle and holding the Rotary 4-Way test. Kyle also reported that the Brush Rotary is interested in establishing a mentor program at the middle school.Success stories carried over into Vondy's report with a freshman and her father present to share their story.According to the father, the year started off "really rough with the first semester…we had some focus issues in the beginning and she got behind the 8-ball for a while…missing assignments…but thanks to the school district, they saw how she was struggling and called us in. We talked about what we could do, implemented goals at home…set them higher…made a spreadsheet to keep track of her grades…the school watched over her and her grades…the school keeping in contact with me was a big help," he explained."She had an amazing run and amazing transition," Vondy added. "Freshman year is always hard with all of the new things at the high school." He continued that while the first semester was tough, the student completely turned her grades around in the second semester, winding up with one "A", five "B's" and one "C". "She is definitely one of our success stories," he commented.When asked what made her turn around, the student said, "I was scared about failing.""This is definitely a great success for her," Vondy commented. "We're very proud of her…she is a model of what can happen when students put their mind to it and have support at home."Vondy also conducted a year-in-review, going through informational charts used in different meetings throughout the year pertaining to data-driven dialogue."We had about 200 RtI parent meetings this year and that's a huge commitment on everybody's plate," he said, adding, "In the end our success stories are definitely worth it."Board members also heard from Todd Snidow of George K. Baum & Company, on bond refinance and Tom Peltz of Kutak Rock LLP, serving as bond counsel, with Snidow explaining their visit as, "to talk about the opportunity to refinance the remainder of Series 2003 and 2004 bonds that haven't been already refinanced."According to Snidow, the opportunity to refinance is being made possible as interest rates have plunged to "unbelievably low rates".Brush School District Business Officer Aaron Oberg explained the board took similar action in 2005, with bonds at five percent. "This is coming in and literally taking out the rest of bonds, between three and four percent," he explained."I think for us, personally being able to show the more significant savings even it's paying off the bonds early speaks to the district," he added. "Another advantage is that we can piggyback or match up this debt for a new building sometime down the road."Board members approved a modified resolution regarding bond refinance and parameters which allows the BOE to continue moving forward and delegated Superintendent Dr. Michelle Johnstone and BOE President Don Dillehay to assist in making decisions collectively. With the modification, the district has the ability to withdraw from the issue should it choose to.In other business, Oberg presented a brief finance report, explaining he will have a resolution regarding the interest-free loan program that will require board approval at the June 5 meeting. He also will present more information on the state-run program at that time.Consensus agenda items included approving employment of Nadine Lesso, Paige Ramey and Deb Quick as preschool teachers at Thomson Primary School, Jennifer Schlatter as counselor at Beaver Valley Elementary School, Reesa Larsen and Megan Sauter as third grade teachers at Beaver Valley, Connie Dreitz as half-time dean of students and half time language arts teacher at BHS, transferring from the middle school, Angela Shaffer as band/choir teacher at BMS, Tawny Talking as special education teacher at BMS, Lynn Gearcia as BMS intervention teacher; Mary George as language arts teacher at the high school and Julie Snoeck as half-time language arts teacher, also at the high school.The board also approved personnel rehire requests for coaches at the middle and high schools, the custodial and maintenance departments, technology and transportation departments, as well as at the district office.Business items found the board approving a motion to have CASB (Colorado Association of School Boards) review all of the school district's policies at a cost of $12,000. According to Tracy Amen, Human Resource Specialist/Executive Assistant to the BOE and superintendent, that fee could be less depending on the scope of work and will be billed to the district over two fiscal years.CASB last overhauled the policies in 2003, with Amen explaining that approximately 30 policies need to be reviewed and updated. "Some change is in wordsmithing, some is changing in legislation," she explained, adding, "It's getting caught up and once we're caught up, the school district can maintain it."The board also approved a district holiday schedule presented by Superintendent Dr. Michelle Johnstone, who also asked for clarification in the district's bidding process in regards to format and procedures.The next meeting of the Brush Board of Education will be at 6 p.m. on June 6 when a public hearing on the proposed budget will be held.